By Juan Torres

As experts and innovators in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, SEMA Show exhibitors have voted on the top trend-setting vehicles in the automotive aftermarket. The leading vehicles that represent the best business opportunities for the aftermarket are being considered for a SEMA Award in six categories.

Finalists for SEMA Awards (in alphabetical order):

SEMA Car of the Year

• Nissan Z
• Dodge Challenger

SEMA Mid-Size Truck of the Year

• Jeep Gladiator
• Toyota Tacoma

SEMA Full-Size Truck of the Year

• RAM
• Toyota Tundra

SEMA 4x4/SUV of the Year

• Jeep Wrangler
• Toyota 4Runner

SEMA Sport Compact of the Year

• Toyota GR86
• Volkswagen Golf GTI

SEMA Electric Vehicle of the Year

• Nissan Ariya
• Volkswagen ID.4

SEMA Show exhibitors choose to develop products for new vehicles that have wide consumer appeal, and for which they often collaborate with automakers through programs, such as SEMA Measuring Sessions and SEMA Tech Transfer. The SEMA Award finalists represent exhibiting automakers that support the aftermarket with accessory-friendly models based on their potential for customization.

The top-winning vehicle in each category will be announced during the SEMA Show Vehicle Reveal Monday, October 31, at 5:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Held the evening before the opening of the SEMA Show, the Vehicle Reveal gives media and exhibitors a chance to get a sneak peek at some of the vehicles that will be on display during the week.

To learn more about the 2022 SEMA Show taking place November 1–4, in Las Vegas, visit www.semashow.com. 

By SEMA Editors

Photographers captured images of the ’24 Ford Explorer Timberline testing alongside the Ford Bronco. Although the Explorer Timberline launched in 2021, Ford is bumping up the refresh to bring it onto the same cycle as the rest of the lineup.

Ford will launch an Electric Explorer in 2024, but in the meanwhile, ICE Explorers will get a nip/tuck. The front of Explorer Timberline will gain a larger grille and all-new headlights. In the back, revised taillights are expected carrying a similar appearance to the recently shown Chinese Explorer. Powertrain changes aren’t expected, but the 2.3L EcoBoost may get a slight bump in power while continuing to be paired to a 10-speed automatic.

Expect to see the refreshed Explorer Timberline in 2023.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Ashley Reyes

The record-high sales growth over the past two years for the automotive specialty-equipment industry is beginning to level off or subside, according to the newest SEMA market research report. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, supply-chain issues and rising costs, companies remain optimistic as sales remain solid and above pre-pandemic levels.

The newest Fall 2022 report finds that 47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year.

“Businesses experienced record high growth the past two years,” said Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of market research. “We saw growth that was above the industry’s norm, so it makes sense that we’re returning to more normal levels. It’s great to see that most companies are up from 2019 levels."

Conducted every six months since 2021, the “SEMA State of the Industry” studies are designed to give companies clarity about the overall market during an uncertain time. The disruption from the pandemic made it difficult of members to understand what the market was going through and nearly impossible to forecast. Based on data from the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the reports give readers a barometer to gauge how they are currently doing and make predictions about what’s to come.  

The newest Fall 2022 version finds that 47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year. Additional findings include:

• Supply-chain issues continue to be disruptive for the industry. More than 90% of companies say that they are having a moderate or significant impact on operations.
• Inflation and the supply-chain issues are resulting in higher costs for businesses. More than 90% of companies reported an increase in supplier or production costs; most (around 80%) are compensating for the high costs by increasing their prices. Despite this, consumer demand and revenue remain strong.
• Ongoing supply-chain issues and high prices are slowing new-vehicle sales. Sales are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025. Sales for 2022 are expected to fall about a million vehicles short of 2021, at 13.9 million total units. The average price of a new vehicle reached $48,301 in August 2022, a record high. The average price of an electric is even higher, at more than $66,000.

The complete "State of the Industry—Fall 2022" report is available to download for free at www.sema.org/research, and will be discussed in depth during the SEMA Show seminar, “State of the Specialty-Equipment Industry: Trends and Directions,” Tuesday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. in N254.

By Ashley Reyes

Onboarding new hires is important to help them thrive in their new role. It also welcomes them as part of the team and inspires them to be more knowledgeable and excited about the company.

During the webinar, “Talent Management for Managers, Powered by SBN,” October 20, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), SEMA-member company managers will learn how to successfully navigate the employee onboarding process. Participants will hear from career coach veteran and owner of HR Culture Geek Elizabeth Jacobs and walk away with strategies on how recruit and onboard, check in on performance and ways to set goals so that expectations are better met.

Participants will engage with other automotive aftermarket professionals through a virtual breakout and have the chance to share and acquire ideas.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

As part of the third annual SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Cup Challenge, the PRO Booth #50185 at the 2022 SEMA Show will include seven new-model cars and trucks featuring restyling packages that are marketable, easy-to-replicate and profitable. The seven vehicles are competing to showcase and encourage new-vehicle buyers and dealers to incorporate simple, everyday accessories into their sales.

Through the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge, accessory manufacturers see how their products can be packaged with other products, restylers get ideas to take back to their local markets and SEMA Showgoers witness how new vehicles can be transformed and can even vote for a build to win a “Fan Favorite Award.” 

The SEMA PRO Cup Challenge is the only competition of its kind at the SEMA Show that pits restyler against restyler to create a package for a new-model car or truck. Through the competition, accessory manufacturers see how their products can be packaged with other products, restylers get ideas to take back to their local markets and SEMA Showgoers witness how new vehicles can be transformed and can even vote for a build to win a “Fan Favorite Award.” 

This year’s vehicles will include mixture of internal-combustion engines and electric. In addition to the Fan Favorite Award, a panel of judges will select an overall winner to be named SEMA PRO Cup Challenge champion.

“The variety of vehicles in this year’s PRO Cup Challenge will surely show restyling shops how they can use traditional restyling products as well as some new products and services to build packages,” said PRO Chair Josh Poulson. “There will be a good mixture of truck accessories, film products, interior products, 12-volt products and no doubt some show-stopping new products to create these exciting builds.”

SEMA Showgoers can witness the competition in action and see the vehicle builds up close by visiting PRO Booth #50185 during SEMA Show week. The SEMA PRO Cup Challenge Winner and Fan Favorite Award Winner will be announced during the SEMA Show PRO Booth Happy Hour, November 2, at 4:00 p.m.  

Learn more at www.sema.org/pro-cup-challenge.

By Ashley Reyes

Finalists for SEMA Awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and accomplishments in the industry have been announced:

GEN-III Innovator of the Year – recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

• Mike Burns, CEO, ValvoMax
• Alex Kay, founder, RestroFX International   
• Dustin Woolf, owner, Woolfpack Racing

The Gen-III Innovator of the Year award recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

Influencer of the Year – recognizing a content creator for their outstanding contributions to automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

• Larry Chen
• ChrisFix
• TJ Hunt
• Adam LZ
• Alex Taylor

Award winners will be announced as part of the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets here.  

By Ashley Reyes

Finalists for SEMA Awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and accomplishments in the industry have been announced:

GEN-III Innovator of the Year – recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

• Mike Burns, CEO, ValvoMax
• Alex Kay, founder, RestroFX International   
• Dustin Woolf, owner, Woolfpack Racing

The Gen-III Innovator of the Year award recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

Influencer of the Year – recognizing a content creator for their outstanding contributions to automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

• Larry Chen
• ChrisFix
• TJ Hunt
• Adam LZ
• Alex Taylor

Award winners will be announced as part of the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets here.  

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named Cargo Design Group as this week’s member spotlight company. Get to know their story in SEMA’s interview with company owner Terry Baillie below.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your company. How did it start?

Terry Baillie: To support my Jeep lifestyle, I needed the main area of the rear storage area of my ’10 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door to be readily free and unencumbered by any small clutter or free-standing storage devices (i.e., milk crates or similar), so the only logical area to have a storage device installed was over the wheels. In what seemed like a never-ending search, and many purchases for the right storage solution, I ultimately tried almost everyone on the market, but they all fell short in one way or another. I decided to create my own and is why I started Cargo Design Group and created Baillie Box.

SEMA: What was your company’s breakthrough moment?

TB: While in the development stages of creating what ultimately became Baillie Box, I was experimenting with many materials (fiberglass, various metals, etc.) and discovered corrugated polypropylene plastic sheeting and this was the game changer. It was lightweight, pliable, durable, waterproof and reasonably priced with many suppliers and manufacturers working with the material.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and projects that you are working on.

TB: This year is the official launch of Baillie Box, and while most of our energy will be put into promoting all the features and benefits of this item, we are also in the final stages of engineering and prototyping a few other complementary storage devices for the Jeep Wrangler with the Baillie Box Max. Baillie Box has 1 cu. ft. of storage space, and Baillie Box Max has 1.75 cu. ft. of storage moments away from production.

SEMA: Tell us about a product that you are proud of.

TB: I am incredibly proud of everything that went into the creation of Baillie Box, from concept to design to a final marketable product.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

TB: The automotive aftermarket is an enormous space with an incredible number of opportunities and is ever evolving. You should be able to find an area that will excite you and meet your interest and future growth. However, as with any career, commit 100% to doing your best at whatever you are doing and you will be rewarded. Don’t half-ass it!

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Biden administration is proposing a more stringent test for determining when companies must count independent contractors as employees. The Department of Labor (DOL) previously withdrew a 2021 Trump administration rule that made it easier for companies to classify more workers as independent contractors. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees are eligible for certain protections, such as minimum wage, medical leave and overtime pay that are not required for contractors.

The proposed rule would apply the test that was used before the 2021 rule to determine how a worker should be classified. The proposed test will consider six factors: the nature and degree of the worker’s control over the work, the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on personal initiative or investment, investments by the worker and the employer, the degree of permanence of the working relationship, the extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business and the degree of skill and initiative exhibited by the worker. The rule would also apply a totality-of-the-circumstances analysis of the economic reality test when considering the whole activity—an approach that could make it easier to define a gig worker as an employee.

Public comments on the DOL’s proposed rule are due by November 28, 2022.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on its draft update to the travel-management plan for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Special Recreation Management Area near Moab, Utah. SEMA and the off-road community support Alternative A, which is the status quo. SEMA and other off-road groups oppose the other three alternatives (B, C, D) since they would close up to 40% of current off-road trails.

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) hosted a trail run and off-roading event for SEMA members earlier this year in Moab. SEMA and the off-road community oppose the BLM’s Alternatives B, C and D, which would close up to 40% of the existing trails near Moab.

The travel management area covers more than 300,000 acres of BLM managed land in portions of Grand County, Utah, and includes highly valued OHV trails that draw outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. SEMA criticized the BLM’s plan for failing to consider opening more OHV routes since motorized recreation in the area has almost doubled since the last travel-management plan was adopted in 2008. SEMA underscored the value of motorized recreation both in terms of its economic impact to the region and importance in providing OHV access to individuals and families. SEMA also noted that camping is a critical component of the area’s recreational experience, and camping issues were not adequately addressed in the BLM’s plans.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.